Shipping Route

Los Angeles to Chicago Auto Transport

Q: How much does it cost to ship a car from Los Angeles to Chicago?

Car shipping from LA to Chicago costs $899-$1,299 for open transport and $1,399-$1,899 for enclosed transport, depending on your vehicle type and seasonal demand.

Q: How long does LA to Chicago auto transport take?

Transit time is typically 5-7 days for the 2,015-mile journey. Weather delays in winter or summer construction can add 1-2 extra days.

Q: What's the cheapest way to ship a car from Los Angeles to Chicago?

Open carrier transport is the most affordable option, starting at $899 for sedans. Booking 2-3 weeks in advance and offering flexible pickup dates can save $100-200.

Q: Do I need to be present for pickup and delivery?

Yes, you or an authorized representative must be present to sign paperwork and hand over keys at pickup, and to receive the vehicle and pay the driver at delivery.

Q: Can I put personal items in my car during transport?

DOT regulations prohibit personal items in vehicles during transport. Remove all belongings, toll tags, and garage door openers before pickup.

Q: What payment methods do carriers accept?

Most carriers accept cash, cashier's checks, or money orders for COD payment. Some accept personal checks, but credit card acceptance varies by carrier.

Q: Is my vehicle insured during LA to Chicago transport?

Yes, all our carriers carry cargo insurance up to $250,000 per vehicle. Your car is covered from pickup to delivery for damage caused during transport.

Q: What if my car gets damaged during shipping?

Inspect your vehicle carefully at delivery and note any damage on the Bill of Lading before signing. File insurance claims immediately with photos and documentation.

Q: Can you ship inoperable vehicles from LA to Chicago?

Yes, we ship non-running vehicles with a $200+ surcharge for open transport. The car must roll, steer, and brake for loading/unloading safety.

Q: What's the fuel requirement for car shipping?

Keep your gas tank between 1/8 and 1/4 full. This reduces weight while providing enough fuel for loading/unloading at terminals.

We ship your car 2,015 miles from Los Angeles to Chicago in 5-7 days via the I-40 to I-44 corridor. This coast-to-coast route connects two major metropolitan areas with consistent carrier availability year-round.

2,015 Miles

5-7 days

$0 Deposit Required

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How Much

How Much Does Los Angeles to Chicago Car Shipping Cost?

Shipping a standard sedan from Los Angeles to Chicago costs $899-$1,299 for open carrier transport and $1,399-$1,899 for enclosed transport. These prices fluctuate based on fuel costs, seasonal demand, and your specific pickup/delivery locations within each metro area.

Here's the deal with pricing on this route. Summer months (June-August) tend to be cheaper because fewer people are relocating, while fall and winter see price spikes due to snowbird traffic. We've shipped over 3,200 vehicles on this corridor since 2015, and the sweet spot for booking is usually 2-3 weeks in advance.

Remember, door-to-door pricing includes both LA and Chicago metro areas, but if you're way out in the suburbs, expect a potential surcharge. Our carriers can usually get within 1-2 miles of most residential addresses in both cities, but some gated communities or narrow streets might require a nearby meeting point.

What's the

What's the Transit Time from Los Angeles to Chicago?

Most vehicles arrive in 5-7 days on the LA to Chicago route, but we've seen deliveries as quick as 4 days with the right carrier and conditions. The 2,015-mile journey breaks down to about 400-500 miles per day once your car is loaded, accounting for mandatory DOT rest periods and fuel stops.

Weather can impact timing, especially during winter months. Snowstorms in Missouri or Illinois might add an extra day, while summer construction season through Arizona and New Mexico can slow things down too. We always give realistic timeframes - none of this '1-5 days' nonsense you see from other brokers.

Here's something most companies won't tell you: your pickup day matters more than your delivery day for timing. If we pick up your car on a Monday in LA, you're looking at Friday-Saturday delivery in Chicago. Weekend pickups might push delivery to the following Tuesday since carriers take DOT-mandated rest breaks.

Open Carrier

Open Carrier vs Enclosed Transport: LA to Chicago

About 85% of our LA to Chicago shipments go via open carrier because it's cost-effective and reliable for everyday vehicles. Open carriers handle sedans, SUVs, and pickup trucks just fine - we're talking professional drivers with clean DOT records, not some guy with a trailer from Craigslist.

Enclosed auto transport makes sense for luxury vehicles, classics, or anything worth more than $50,000. The enclosed trailers protect against road debris, weather, and prying eyes, but you'll pay $500-800 more than open transport. We've shipped plenty of Mercedes, BMWs, and restored muscle cars this way with zero issues.

The reality? Unless you're shipping a Ferrari or a pristine '67 Camaro, open transport is perfectly safe. We carry up to $250,000 in cargo insurance per vehicle, and our carriers are pre-screened for safety ratings and proper licensing. Your 2018 Honda Accord doesn't need a $1,500 enclosed trailer.

Best Pickup

Best Pickup and Delivery Areas in LA and Chicago

In Los Angeles, we serve the entire metro area from Santa Monica to San Bernardino, but central locations like Hollywood, Downtown LA, and Mid-City offer the best carrier access. If you're in Malibu or way out in Lancaster, expect to meet the carrier at a more accessible location - it's just how the logistics work with 75-foot truck-trailer combinations.

Chicago pickup and delivery covers the Loop, North Side, South Side, and most suburbs within the I-294/I-355 corridor. Popular delivery zones include Lincoln Park, River North, and Schaumburg. We've done plenty of deliveries to Northwestern University and University of Chicago for student car shipping too.

Here's a pro tip: flexible pickup dates get you better pricing. If you can give us a 3-4 day window instead of demanding a specific Tuesday pickup, we can often save you $100-200 by matching you with a carrier who's already planning that route. It's all about logistics efficiency.

What to

What to Expect: LA to Chicago Auto Transport Process

The process starts with an accurate quote based on your vehicle type, preferred dates, and exact pickup/delivery locations. We don't do bait-and-switch pricing - the quote you get is what you pay, period. Once you book, we assign a carrier within 1-3 business days and provide their contact information directly.

Your carrier will call 24 hours before pickup to confirm the exact time and location. The driver will inspect your vehicle, document any existing damage on a Bill of Lading, and load it onto the trailer. This whole process takes about 15-20 minutes if you have your keys ready and the car is accessible.

Delivery works the same way - the driver calls ahead to schedule a convenient time for drop-off. You'll do a final inspection, sign the paperwork, and pay the carrier directly (COD). We recommend having cash or a cashier's check ready since not all drivers accept personal checks or credit cards.

2,015Miles

5-7Days Transit

$899Starting Price

3,200+Cars Shipped

The Process

How It Works

Get Your Quote

Call (310) 906-4841 or request a quote online. We'll give you realistic pricing based on current market rates, not inflated broker estimates.

Book Your Shipment

Secure your dates with our dispatch team. We assign a licensed, insured carrier within 1-3 business days and provide direct contact information.

Vehicle Pickup

Your carrier calls 24 hours before pickup. Driver inspects your car, completes the Bill of Lading, and loads it onto the trailer in about 15-20 minutes.

Safe Delivery

Driver contacts you before Chicago delivery to schedule drop-off. Final inspection, paperwork, and payment (COD) complete the process.

Pricing

Pricing by Vehicle Type

Vehicle	Open Carrier	Enclosed	Transit
Sedan / Compact	$899-$1,299	$1,399-$1,899	5-7 days
SUV / Crossover	$949-$1,399	$1,499-$1,999	5-7 days
Pickup Truck	$999-$1,449	$1,549-$2,099	5-7 days
Luxury / Exotic	N/A	$1,799-$2,699	5-7 days
Motorcycle	$599-$899	$799-$1,199	5-7 days
Inoperable Vehicle	$200+ surcharge	$300+	Add 1-2 days

Route Insider Tip

Book LA to Chicago shipments 2-3 weeks in advance during October-March snowbird season. Carriers fill up fast when Chicago residents head west for winter, and last-minute bookings can cost $200-400 more.